Hill's Pet Nutrition Ltd Cookie Use Policy

Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. Some cookies remember you so we can offer you a more
personalised
website when you come back. Other cookies track how many people view our pages so we can improve the overall experience of the website, while some are essential for the website to work. If you don’t mind cookies, please select 'Accept' to continue browsing. If you’re not sure, read our terms and conditions here or you can change your personal settings so you are in full control over which cookies you get.

Vitamins

Vitamins can be divided into two main groups depending on whether they are soluble in fat or water. In addition, there is a group of vitamin-like substances that are similar to vitamins without fitting exactly into the categories.

FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS

WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS

VITAMIN-LIKE SUBSTANCE

Vitamin A

The Vitamin B complex

L-Carnitine

Vitamin D

Thiamine (B1)

Carotenoids

Vitamin E

Riboflavin (B2)

Flavonoids

Vitamin K

Niacin

Pyridoxine (B6)

Pantothenic acid

Folic Acid

Cobalamin (B12)

Biotin

Choline

Vitamin C

Substances must have five basic characteristics in order to be classified as vitamins:

It must be an organic compound different from fat, protein and carbohydrate.

It must be a component of the diet.

It must be essential in minute amounts for normal physiological function.

Its absence must cause a deficiency syndrome.

It must not be synthesized in quantities sufficient to support normal physiological function.

Individual vitamins

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A is required for:

normal vision

healthy coat

healthy skin

healthy mucous membranes

healthy teeth

VITAMIN D

The primary function of vitamin D has to do with calcium and phosphorus and includes:

enhancement of intestinal absorption and mobilisation

retention and bone deposition

VITAMIN E

Vitamin E exists in different forms of which alpha-tocopherol is the most active form. Alpha-tocopherol functions as:

a powerful biological antioxidant

an aid to maintain membrane integrity

The body produces harmful free radicals (oxidants) that cause damage to the cells as a by-product of normal metabolism. Free radicals weaken the immune system, accelerate signs of ageing and have an important role in the development of many different diseases. The biologically active antioxidants, of which vitamin E is one of the most significant, can protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals, if the levels of antioxidants are high enough.

VITAMIN K

Vitamin K is synthesised by gut bacteria, and regulates the formation of several blood-clotting factors.

VITAMIN B COMPLEX

The individual B-vitamins have specific functions but overall they:

act as components of enzymes,

act as co-factors in the metabolic processes.

VITAMIN C

Because vitamin C can be synthesised from glucose in the body of healthy dogs and cats it is not technically essential. However, more recent research has shifted the focus from prevention of deficiency to the treatment and prevention of disease. Vitamin C plays an important role in immune function.

Vitamin C may have some benefit in the recovery of stress due to exercise.

L-CARNITINE

L-Carnitine is one of the best known vitamin-like substances. It is a natural component of all animal cells. Its primary function is to help convert fat into energy. L-Carnitine transports fatty acids across the inner membrane of the mitochondria (the energy factories of the cell), so they can be oxidised and converted into energy.

With age, the mitochondria become less efficient and more free radicals are produced. L-Carnitine helps improve the efficiency of the mitochondria, so fewer free radicals are produced and mitochondrial health is maintained for longer. Liver, skeletal and heart muscles contain 95-98% of the L-carnitine in the body and are significant storage sites.

L-Carnitine has been shown to help overweight cats lose weight.

CAROTENOIDS

A group of pigments called carotenoids also exhibit vitamin-like activity. More than 600 different compounds are classified as carotenoids but fewer than 10% can be converted into vitamin A. Carotenoids are found abundantly in orange and green vegetables. Carotenoids function as antioxidants.

Butternut Squash

Peas

Broccoli

Pumpkin

Carrots

FLAVONOIDS

The flavonoids are another group of pigments (red, blue and yellow) that have vitamin-like activity. They are found in the peels and skins of coloured fruits and vegetables. The flavonoids have a sparing effect on vitamin C and further support the antioxidant system.

<p> <strong><span class='nowrap'>Ideal Balance™</span> No Grain Feline Adult</strong> is specially formulated to meet the needs of adult cats and is made with NO GRAINS. We guarantee the perfect balance of nutrition for your cat's health - nothing more, nothing less.</p><p></p><p>

<p> <strong><span class='nowrap'>Ideal Balance™</span> No Grain Feline Adult</strong> is specially formulated to meet the needs of adult cats and is made with NO GRAINS. We guarantee the perfect balance of nutrition for your cat's health - nothing more, nothing less.</p><p></p><p>

Keep your cat happy with Hill's &#153;<span class='nowrap'>Science Plan</span>&#153;Tender Chunks in Gravy with Beef. Each pouch is a complete food containing the right combination of vitamins and minerals to keep your cat in the very best of health.

Keep your cat happy with Tender Chunks in Gravy with chicken. Each pouch is a complete food containing exactly the right combination of vitamins and minerals to keep your cat in the very best of health.

Keep your cat happy with Tender Chunks in Gravy with chicken. Each pouch is a complete food containing exactly the right combination of vitamins and minerals to keep your cat in the very best of health.

Sterilised cats are over three times more likely to become overweight and suffer with urinary problems. <br>Hill's™ <span class='nowrap'>Science Plan™</span> Feline Sterilised Cat Mature Adult Chicken is tailored to meet the needs of sterilised cats. Formulated with clinically proven antioxidants and a unique weight management formula.